Category: Bruce Posts (Page 138 of 211)

A couple of weeks ago we took the kids bowling.   The sport is relatively new in Ukraine, and really taking off among the youth.  There’s even a professional team developing in Kiev.  My lawyer friend Alex who helped us a lot early on is even ranked in the top 20 or so, and his wife even higher.

About 45 minutes from our house they have a brand new spot, rarely busy, and perfect for the family.  This is probably our 2nd or 3rd time bowling in Ukraine.

Abbey ‘cheerleader’ Jane enjoys the colors.

Noah ‘gutter-ball’ Cameron starts off strong and later derails.

Clark ‘the serious one’ Neil tries to keep pace with the big boys.

Tucker ‘Distract-a-boy’ was multitasking as usual.

Brent ‘lone shark’ Lloyd was not to be denied.

Bronwyn ‘striker’ Leigh takes aim.ffffffffffff

http://vimeo.com/62042498

This past Sunday sharing to our home church Crossroads Community Church in Longview, Texas.  After updating everyone on the family, I share out of the New Testament book Philemon.  I hope it encourages someone out there.

If you’ve traveled, you can identify with the peculiar sensation of being uprooted from familiar and immersed in foreign.  We just returned from a blistering 7 day journey to Texas.  Broderic and I just awoke from a 12hr sleep after arriving last night.

Having lunch with talented crew from Cypress & EDsuite – just missing Seth, Andrew, April and Ed.

Think we live in an interesting age?  Consider that we’re the first generation to be able to click on a screen and find ourselves the next day 10,000 ft in the air.  We can go anywhere, quickly.  The trip I just made from Texas to Eastern Europe would have taken my Great Grandfather 2-3 months.   He would have traveled by ship, by train, and the very journey to his destination would have been more than enough of a journey for any of us.

We are human.  We’ve been designed.  Some of us are adventurous, others enjoy the comforts of low risk living.  Whatever your fancy, you’ll probably find yourself entering and exiting cultures in the near future.  Whether vacationing, on a missions trip, or even part of your work, we are a mobile people these days.

One thing is for sure, we are designed to bloom where we’re planted.  I am planted in Ukraine now.  This last trip revealed this to me unlike any other.  When we stick in the roots of stability, intertwine our lives with others around us, we bear fruit.  That fruit takes time, it requires the seasonal rain, the daily sun, time.

It may be fun to hop over into a culture once in a while.  What a privilege to do this if we have the means and time.  I’m thankful for home though.  I like my soil, and the little plants growing around me.  I see the need to reach out my branches and give shade to some of those that are struggling.  Fun to visit other places, and often needed, but thank God for home – it’s where we can best thrive for our great God.

Above is a picture from this past Sunday night.  Dan and Sarah Black served the past 3yrs as the Youth Leaders at church.  They were immensely popular among the kids and parents.  They will be moving to Dallas and the evening consisted of stories, both hilarious and heartfelt during their service at Crossroads.  It was wonderful to consider how anyone that loves, that gives themselves to others, can make an immediate impact.  Dan and Sarah bloomed where they were planted – you can see them in the center.

I was able to share with the church body as well on Sunday.  Always a struggle to condense something into a 45 min message when your heart is full and you’ve not shared anything ‘in person’ for over a year.  Crossroads, along with Bo and Beth Bolding have been, and continue to be a huge answer to one of our first prayers as a couple – that God would provide us a church family that had a missions heart and were real.   God continues to attract a people to Crossroads that love God and continue to effectively love our family, supporting us in every possible way.

Off to check on Gas Project for Cafe and Business Permit progress – I’m hearing good reports that we could be a month or less away – step by step!

Bruce & Deborah CroweMissionaries | Rzhyshchiv, Ukraine

This winter has been particularly hard on the already poor road conditions in Ukraine.   As the snow and ice finally started thawing last week, it revealed an even worse hazzard to deal with.  Craters, potholes the size of a small lada.  From side streets to highways, the roads are the worst I’ve ever seen in any country.

All this would be taken in stride if it weren’t for the fact that over $28 million of funds designated for upkeep of these roads hadn’t been embezzled within the corrupt Ukrainian government.  It’s amazing how a country void of a moral compass and ‘me first’ worldview among the leaders trickles down to the paths we collectively travel on.  There’s actually one fairly decent highway remaining in Ukraine, it’s the one that leads to the politicians mansions along the Dnepr… it’s now my preferred ‘safe’ method back from the city.

Sin effects others.  We take, we steal, we lie, or cheat and the reciprocating effects last long after the momentary action.  While these corrupt thugs travel the world and live without accountability, the average Ukrainian walks through mud and water to work because they can’t afford a car.  Those lucky ones that actually do have a vehicle are lining up in the tire repair shop or waiting for parts to fix their suspension.

The roads in Ukraine, littered with massive holes and ready to inflict damage the moment you relax your eyes, is a symbol of a nation that needs a revolution and revelation of Jesus Christ.   It’s bad enough we have to hold our breath as we past the arbitrary police checkpoints pilfering the masses, now we have to hold our breath and close our eyes as we drive over roads fit only for tractors.

We don’t need nice roads to live for God.  We don’t expect nice roads without paying for them.  But when even the roads are an area of corruption, it’s hard to drive on them without being reminded how far a nation can drift from God.

Article in Kiev post about our roads: http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/ukraines-roads-named-among-worst-in-the-world-321107.html

I want to recommend this book.  It will be for most, the most challenging thing you’ve ever read on the topic of compassion and charity.  It investigates the nature of charity and giving from a biblical, and practical ‘on the ground’ aspect.  If you are fan of short term missions, humanitarian projects, and have been curious about the real effects upon those receiving help, read this.  It relates not only to international missions, but local projects as well.

I’m re-invigorated to give with Christ’s love, with justice AND mercy, empowering people to become what God designed them to be.  Giving with the full intent to bless the recipients most pressing needs, and not my own temporary satisfaction.  Powerful little book, and not too big:)

Here’s a little quote from the book that cut like a knife, and caused me to think again upon the things we are actively doing in the lives of the needy:

“It is important that giving be truly free. It must never degenerate into charity, in the pejorative sense. Alms-giving is Mammon’s perversion of giving. It affirms the superiority of the giver, who thus gains a point on the recipient, binds him, demands gratitude, humiliates him and reduces him to a lower stat than he had before.” Jacques Ellul

The most pressing ‘need’ in our world, even among the poorest of poor, isn’t always money, but time.  We give our money because it’s easier.  Charity in this sense, without the investment of our time (lives), dis-empowers and does little lasting good.

I’ve been thinking about how God has loved and given us His Son.  How this ‘charity’ isn’t at all like the kind we give when we drop a buck in a beggars coffer.  His cost Him greatly.  He gave to restore, He looked upon our greatest need for all eternity, not just the urgency of the moment.

God didn’t love us out of pity.  Pity gives us the picture of the supreme looking down upon the lowly.  Rather Jesus stooped down first before He picked us up.  He didn’t leave us, but crowned us with His name, cleansed us, and called us into his family.  We’ve been gowned with righteousness, we’ve become part of the Divine family.  O how our God can give!

Make us all be givers like you Lord, and this world will know that you are here!  Help us rise above giving ‘for’ instead of ‘with’ people.  Forgive us for giving for our own give, our own reward, and not looking to the highest good of those in need.